Student council gives voice to all

A member of the student council at Presentation Senior School, Abisola Akintola, explained to the Westmeath Examiner how it works: “It’s a voice for all the children, because there are a lot of things that adults can do that children can’t, so the student council is a voice for the children so that they can have a say.”

Other pupils often approach members of the student council outside of classes with their concerns or requests, Abisola said, and the council then discuss the issues they bring up, and make sure something is done to address them.

They work with a member of the teaching staff, and if the matter is something serious, such as bullying, it will be reported to the principal, who takes on the responsibility of dealing with it. For less serious issues, the council will make a decision on whether the request is necessary and if they deem it so, they will draw the attention of staff to it.

“I think the student council is a good thing,” Abisola reiterated, “for example, for people who are really shy, because people have a lot of good ideas, but they might not be heard or used, so the student council gives you a place to be able to share your ideas, and to make sure they are implemented”.